New Jersey Truck Weight and Size Limits
Legal limits for a truck in New Jersey without a permit: Interstate axle and gross weights, height, width, and semitrailer length, each with its official source.
Data pending verification
Some official figures this page relies on haven't been confirmed against the source yet. Don't rely on results here until this notice is gone.
What's pending
- weight-limits/states/new-jersey
New Jersey limits at a glance
Interstate weight limits
Federal law sets the Interstate limits at 20,000 lb on a single axle, 34,000 lb on a tandem, and 80,000 lb gross, with the bridge formula on every axle group (23 CFR 658.17). States may keep higher limits they had before the federal limits took effect ("grandfather rights").
FHWA's New Jersey summary lists 20,000 lb single on Interstates; its exceptions table lists a grandfathered 22,400 lb single. Not confirmed which applies.
Bridge formula check with New Jersey limits
A 5-axle tractor-trailer is filled in. Change the spacings and weights to match your rig; the limits for single axles, tandems, and gross are New Jersey's Interstate limits (federal limits stand in where a figure is pending).
Your result
New Jersey limits off the Interstate
FHWA's summary of New Jersey law for trucks in regular operation (no permit), including non-Interstate highways. It reflects state law as of October 1, 2012; check the state for later changes.
- Single axle
- 20,000 lbs. on Interstate highways / 22,400 lbs. on non-Interstate highways
- Tandem axle
- 34,000 lbs.
- Gross weight
- 80,000 lbs.
- Other
- 5 percent weight tolerance*
Where New Jersey allows more than federal limits
- New Jersey allows a single axle up to 22,400 lbs. under normal operation.
- New Jersey State statute allows for several axle and GVW exemptions for various types of vehicles and commodities.
Height, width, and length
- Width: 102 inches. States may not set a width limit of more or less than 102 inches on the National Network (23 CFR 658.15(a)). Permits can allow wider loads.
- Height: pending verification. There is no federal height limit; each state sets its own.
- Semitrailer length: pending verification.
- Grandfathered semitrailer length: 48 ft. The minimum semitrailer length the state must allow in a tractor-semitrailer combination on the National Network, based on lengths legal in the state on December 1, 1982. Federal law also requires at least 48 ft (23 CFR 658.13(b)(1)).
Over these limits you need a permit. New Jersey oversize/overweight permits (609-963-2085).
New Jersey compared with neighboring states
| State | Gross | Single | Tandem | Height | Semitrailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 80,000 lb | Pending | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Delaware | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft on Interstate, federal-aid prima… |
| New York | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | Pending | Pending |
| Pennsylvania | 80,000 lb | 20,000 lb | 34,000 lb | 13 ft 6 in | 53 ft |
Sources
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix B: Summary of State Exceptions to Federal Truck Weight Limits · Effective Oct 1, 2012 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Compilation of Existing State Truck Size and Weight Limit Laws (Report to Congress, May 2015), Appendix A: New Jersey · Effective Oct 1, 2012 · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 CFR 658.15, Width (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: 23 CFR part 658, Appendix B, Grandfathered Semitrailer Lengths (eCFR) · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Source: FHWA, Oversize/Overweight Load Permits: State permit contacts · Last verified Sep 28, 2026
Limits change, and cities, counties, and posted bridges can set lower ones. Check with New Jersey before you run a load near the limits. Page data last verified Sep 28, 2026.